This beautiful loon was found in the middle of Hwy 97, a few days into our first serious dump of snow and cold snap. He (or she) clearly face-planted into the hwy as the tip of his bill is damaged. We are assessing as to weather he can be rehabilitated.

Water birds like loons, grebes, and mergansers not only need their sharp bill to catch (or spear) fish, but to preen and maintain their waterproofing. You can see in this picture that his waterproofing is compromised - there is a small nickle sized darker spot just under his chin...this is a spot where clearly he has lost his waterproofing. Likely he got some debris(perhaps blood from the injury) here. This is an avenue to hyperthermia were he to be released with this.

Weather can force a bird down for various reasons - sometimes because of poor physical condition (parasite loads or just lack of enough food to develop the muscle mass for the whole migratory trip), but sometimes simply from really bad weather. Loon and grebes can mistake our wet pavement for rivers...seems odd, but visibility can be hindered in bad weather, as we all know.

Please if you see a bird on the snow, in a road, or just acting strange...or in a location that seems odd...give us a call. Unless a bird is a crow or a songbird actively eating seeds under a tree or hopping around on snow...consider that bird in distress. Birds do not sit in the snow (unless they are ptarmagin!) generally....No shorebird should ever be in the snow...and no water birds. I believe this bird to be a common loon.

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Native Bird Care is small. But the work we do is critical. The needs of the birds we work with - song, shore, and waterbirds - are often underestimated. Each species is so unique that we must cater to each type of bird and their particular needs in care and housing. Add to that, handling these birds can be tricky; they all require specialized training.

There are easy and affordable solutions for most bird impacts. *window solutions to prevent bird injuries on windows. *Put up a catio - an outside, enclosed play yard for cats. *Teach an outside cat to be entertained inside (yes, it can be done). *Plant native plants and fruit bearing species. *Keep dogs on leash. *Use safe exclusion methods if you do not want them on the house.